Veterans Only Please!!!?

Question

After your enlistment,did you consider or were you asked to join the American Legion and/or Veterans of Foreign Wars.Both are fine organizations with few "new" members;I'm wondering why the new veteran's aren't joining.

FYI: I'm a member of both.

These are all great answers.this is one of those questions where there can be no "wrong" answer,keep 'em coming.At the Legion Post I command,we raise and distribute literally thousands of dollars to help vets and thier families.Those who feel the posts they went to are just guys living in the past are correct:it takes a lot of hard work to make a post function as it should and to not become a "beer joint".

chefsky,
they are both private organizations and do not receive gov't support.the dues you pay help support thier programs.good answer/question!

www.legion.org
www.vfw.org
for those of you who would like more info

Answer 1

When we got home from Afghanistan in 2002, all the guys I went with got offered free 1 year memberships to the VFW, and when I got back from Iraq in 2003, I got the same thing.

I joined the American Legion because when I was in school I played baseball for them, and I joined the Marine Corps League because my great-uncle was a member, and he bought me my first years membership, then died, so I do it to keep up a connection with him. Otherwise, I didn't really want to join any of those organizations. They kind of feel, well, old. I don't want to sit around a bar, full of old guys, or even guys my age and tell sea stories. Maybe when I get older, I'll care more, but right now, I don't really. I don't feel like I did anything all that cool, and sometimes I feel embarassed around the old guys who stormed beaches in the Pacific, or who fought in Korea and Vietnam.

Best answer I can give.

Answer 2

I joined while stationed in Korea as I was technically a veteran of the Korean war.

I later became an honest to God vet of the Iraq war.

At one point or another I was with both the VFW and American Legion.

Sadly, I have found that overall, both organizations are just excuses for guys to get together and have a few drinks away from the wife.

I have seen / heard more yearning for yester-years and war-story telling than I care to in my lifetime at the VFW.

I'm sure that there are good aspects to the VFW and AL. However, when I am 65+ I hope that I have better things to do then reminisce about how I once WAS such and such. Too many of the people I’ve seen at the VFW were guys that were living in the past.

Answer 3

I was asked by VFW members while I was in Korea, I received a bunch of stuff in the mail, and I ended up joining the American Legion instead...

Someday I might join a VFW too, but the closest one to my house is about 10 miles away. So I just go to the legion im a part of..

I think the problem with finding members is the same as finding new military recruits... lack of recruiting skills... If you know of any Veterans in your area that are not a part of a VFW or Legion, ask them to join.. Atleast ask them to attend a meeting with you so they can get a feel for it..

Answer 4

As you can see I am a member of the American Legion. I never served in a war zone so I could not join the VFW. I do believe in what both groups do. I am a member of the DAV and looking at joining the AMVETS. So I think anything that that is there to help veterans is a good thing.

Answer 5

Some newer veterans don't care for the VFW. The VFW for years would not recognize Vietnam Vets as being Veterans of Foreign Wars as Vietnam was not officially a "war". The American Legion and other veterans groups such as the Marine Corps League can be very political and stuck up and many veterans just don't care to deal with the BS anymore.

Answer 6

Im a nav vet. I served from 81-85 and recived an Honorable Discharge. Just 3 weeks ago, I recieved a mass mailing invitation to join the American Legion. I didnt even know I qualified. Apparently somewhere in the last 20 years, congress decided I was a wartime vet. Ive yet to join... but Im seriously considering it.

Answer 7

When I got out of the service I never wanted to join because of the age gap between me and the rest of the members. Every time I went there it seemed like a bunch of old men that were in charge of everything. I do not have anything against age but you would like to have someone there you can relate to. Now I am one of those old guys that I mentioned in the begining of my story and can better understand why they were going there. I see this organization as it is good for some who do not have nothing else to do with there lives but I am too busy doing thing I like to be a part of this. The answer you were looking for is no they did not ask me to join there little club.

Answer 8

One reason could be that if you served in the military during peace time you were not considered a veteran yet the government accepts that you are. I spent 4 years active and 6 years reserve during peacetime and I am a member of the American Legion.

Answer 9

For a long time, there was an eligibility problem. Bosnia did not qualify us for VFW. The Cold War wasn't even considered. After that got changed, there was so much pressure to join that it became unattractive.

The American Legion helped me get my appropriate rating from VA. I would like to join, but I don't want to have it stuffed up my ***. I want to join because I find the Legions attractive, not because someone tells me I have to.

NOTE: The American Legion that help me is not the one that tried to "force" me to join.

Answer 10

As a vet I paid my dues and am still serving. Why in the hell would I want to pay 400 and some dollars for the VFW or american legion life long membership? Sure they help the community and they try and help the vets. why pay for a service that just don't help.